OFW dies after arriving at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines –  An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) died in a hospital hours after returning home from Jeddah after midnight Thursday, officials reported yesterday.

The Pasay City police is investigating the death of Francisco Cogen, 59, of Navotas City. He was reported to have collapsed while on board an Etihad Airways flight.

Chief Inspector Raymund Liguden, who heads the city police’s special investigation and detective management section, said “crew members applied first aid treatment” on Cogen, one of 27 OFWs deported from Jeddah.

“When the plane landed at the airport, a medical team from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport immediately examined him, but he looked unstable so he was brought the to the San Juan de Dios Hospital where he expired,” Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Carmelito Dimzon said. Liguden, however, alleged that the OWWA representative had left the hospital, taking Cogen’s travel documents.

The OWWA chief said that the welfare officer in Jeddah sent a report that Cogen had severe asthma attacks while he was at the deportation center. “The family has been notified of his death and OWWA will be providing them livelihood assistance,” Dimzon said.

Liguden said the police will coordinate with the local Etihad office regarding the case. – Mayen Jaymalin, Perseus Echeminada